Lawyers for Electronic Data Systems will on Monday hit back at charges by British Sky Broadcasting that the big US IT outsourcing company deceived the pay-TV broadcaster when it put in an ill-fated bid to build a “world class” customer-care centre to look after its subscribers.

BSkyB alleges that EDS misrepresented its capabilities in order to secure the £48m deal in July 2000. But, in one of the largest legal fights played out in London’s specialist technology and construction court, the US group’s lawyers will claim that BSkyB didn’t know what it wanted – but was determined to force down the cost in any event.